Experience

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  Newsquest media group ltd

  Sept 2002 - Dec 2013

  Distribution agent

  This role supported me whilst I was in school, Sixth Form and even university (as I went to my local university and it rarely interfered with my studies).Each Thursday afternoon, come rain or shine, I would be out and about delivering newspapers and circulars to local residents.This role taught me organisational skills, people skills (including people management, because not everyone on my round liked to see me), and money management skills.I left this role to become a conveyancing assistant with a local law firm. Show less

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  Bournemouth borough council

  Nov 2007 - May 2010

  This role provided me with some useful practical experience in voting practices and procedures. It involved issuing ballot papers to voters and recording the registration numbers on those ballot papers against the names of voters on the Electoral Register. I demonstrated a strong attention to detail when issuing ballot papers as there were various reasons why certain members of the public were either disqualified from voting or could not be issued with a ballot paper as they had elected to be supplied with a postal vote. The Electoral Polling Clerk aspect of this role lasted from 6.00 A.M. to 10.00 P.M..Thereafter, I was employed as a Counting and Verification Assistant from 10.30 P.M. onwards, counting the votes received from another voting district (so as to ensure impartiality) and verifying the work of my colleagues. This aspect of the work involved working in reasonable large teams, incorporating members who I was not given time to get to know properly. However, we worked in a close knit manner and assisted one another in working efficiently and accurately. This position lasted until the early hours of the following morning.I performed these roles both for the 2009 elections to the European Parliament and the 2010 General Election, incorporating local elections being held at the same time. Show less This was a customer-focused role designed to encourage members of a particular voting district to take an interest in their entitlement to vote and to participate in the voting process during subsequent elections. Primarily, the purpose of this role was to chase up voter registration forms that had been sent out by the local council but not returned, as the more forms that were returned, the more complete the local Electoral Register would be.I worked as part of a small, two-person team, visiting local residents during daylight hours and offering them assistance in completing their forms. For obvious reasons, this role also involved some basic languages training.All of the forms that were completed were then sent back to the council or delivered by me and pay was determined based on the level of responses that the council received. My team partner and I also made a note of properties that were either newly-built or under construction, so that the council could add these to the Electoral Register in time for the following year's canvassing duties. Show less

  • Electoral Polling Clerk, Counting and Verification Assistant

    Jun 2009 - May 2010

  • Electoral Canvasser

    Nov 2007 - Nov 2009
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  Crown prosecution service

  Oct 2010 - Aug 2011

  Casework support officer

  I worked with Crown Prosecution Service Surrey for my university work placement.I worked in the administration department, mainly assisting in the Pro-active Case Progression of cases in the Surrey magistrates' courts. Towards the end of my time with them, I performed a similar role towards the Crown Court concerning indictable and either-way cases.My role involved daily use of the Crown Prosecution Service's Case Management System IT service, including drafting committals for trial and cases being sent to the Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. I was also involved in paginating committals for sentence and ensuring that these were filed with the Defence and the relevant court/s.I also drove the office car for a time whilst the role remained unfilled, which involved driving court files down to the local courts and securely delivering them on a daily basis.Along with this, I was also involved in working on the reception desk, as well as liaising with members of the Surrey Police Administration Team to progress interdepartmental co-operation. I was also permitted to attend several training courses, including a Forensics Service awareness course and a victim and witness awareness day arranged by the Victim Support Service.Part of my time in employment with the Crown Prosecution Service was performed on a voluntary basis.This role was invaluable because, whilst it was great exposure to the law, it also taught me that Criminal Law was not the area of law that I wanted to concentrate on in the future (which is no reflection on the Crown Prosecution Service, as they helped me to identify this).I left this role to return to my studies in my final year at university. Show less

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  Guildford borough council

  May 2011 - May 2011

  Electoral polling clerk

  This was a position that I was already familiar with from previous experience. It involved working from 6.00 A.M. to 10.00 P.M. on Thursday 5th May 2011 in guiding and supervising voting both for the National Referendum and for local and parish elections within one of the Guildford voting districts.I issued ballot papers in a polite manner, whilst ensuring that confidentiality was maintained and that the rules of the ballot were abided by at all times. The registration numbers of the ballot papers also had to be recorded against the names of the individual voters once they were issued. I also had to have a strong attention to detail to ensure that I was not issuing ballot papers to voters who were either disqualified from voting, for whatever reason, or who had elected to complete a postal vote at their home address.I also helped to maintain staff morale, as it was a long day for all of us, especially considering the fact that we had to seal the ballot box and dismantle the polling station after the 10.00 P.M. voting deadline had passed. Show less

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  Humphries kirk solicitors

  Feb 2014 - Apr 2014

  Conveyancing administrator

  I was responsible to the Office Manager and Fee Earners in the office to undertake a variety of support tasks, mainly in Residential and Commercial Property Law. This involved operating a Case Management System to ensure that matters were opened, updated and closed when necessary; adhering to and promoting office and quality systems (i.e. in terms of Client Care, Anti-Money Laundering procedures and general administrative procedures); conducting conveyancing searches when requested; dealing with Land Registry requests and applications; liaising with clients, other solicitors and estate agents as and when required throughout the course of a transaction, and keeping up to date with training in these and various other matters.I also provided interim reception cover, which assisted me in seeing the different aspects of the work undertaken in the office in which I worked, namely Property Law and Private Client work. This and my usual tasks also involved me in money-handling responsibilities and producing the documentation necessary to pay monies into the firm's Client Account before making payments and transfers out of the same. Show less

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  Battens solicitors ltd.

  Apr 2014 - Mar 2016

  Trainee solicitor

  My first seat as a Trainee Solicitor was in Battens Solicitors' Residential Property Department, working in its offices in Weymouth, Yeovil, Dorchester and Sherborne, where I built upon my previous practical and academic experience. I operated two Case Management Systems to progress matters from the initial instruction period through to post-completion. I also ran my own transactions, under supervision, allowing me to deduce title and draft and review sector-specific documentation, such as Transfer Deeds and Contracts.My second seat was in Commercial Property in Yeovil. Here, I was involved in drafting, amending and interpreting lease clauses, whilst developing a business perspective on their use and mobility.I undertook my third seat in Battens' Employment and HR and Clinical and Medical Negligence Teams in Yeovil, which enabled me to extend my existing professional skills. I particularly enjoyed drafting employment contracts and assisting clients directly, whilst benefiting from HR-related training and increased marketing exposure. I was also involved in other matters involving charities and trusts, company law and Dispute Resolution.My fourth and final seat was held in the firm's Dispite Resolution Department, operating from its former offices on the Granby Industrial Estate in Weymouth. This role exposed me to claims of various natures, including debt recovery matters, financial mis-selling and contested probate cases.Aside from my fee earning work, I was also involved in Battens' social media team and in general marketing opportunities. For instance, I represented the firm at various events held across the length and breadth of the firm's geographical area. I also regularly assisted at other, similar events both hosted and sponsored by the firm, including its BattensHR Employment Advice Team (EAT) events.Whilst training with the firm, I also sat my Professional Skills Course at the University of West England and BPP Law School. Show less

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  Coles miller solicitors llp

  Mar 2016 - Feb 2017

  I was a Commercial Litigation Solicitor practising with this prominent law firm in Dorset between May 2016 and February 2017.My focus was on Employment Law, Dispute Resolution and General Civil Litigation.This role gave me a lot of practical experience in advising on settlement agreements, primarily assisting employees by setting out the terms of the agreement and the implication to them in more accessible language to assist their understanding of the importance and implications of receiving a settlement agreement from their employer.I also provided cover to one of the Partners of the firm during periods of annual leave, including running his caseload of contentious Employment Law cases.As part of my role, I advised on Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs), specifically in relation to Section 21 procedures and processes in Landlord and Tenant law. I also developed my experience in drafting ASTs for clients.This role also allowed me to advise on NHS Continuing Healthcare and financial mis-selling claims, together with experience in contested probate matters. Show less

  • Solicitor

    May 2016 - Feb 2017

  • Trainee Solicitor

    Mar 2016 - May 2016
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  Christchurch and east dorset partnership

  May 2017 - Jun 2017

  Planning

  During a brief career break, I worked as a Temporary Planning Administrator for Christchurch and East Dorset Councils.This role provided me with a unique and pleasant insight into the workings of local government, both in relation to the many elements that make up the Planning Department and also in its interactions with other internal and external service providers and with the general public.

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  Qualitysolicitors knight polson

  Jun 2017 - Apr 2019

  Employment law solicitor

  I joined QualitySolicitors Knight Polson in its Dispute Resolution Department in June 2017, developing its existing sub-department in Employment Law. I assisted individual clients, as well as for small-to-medium-sized commercial bodies, including a business network and a firm of independent financial advisers in the southern Hampshire area. Having acted for different organisations in this role, I gained experience in assisting employers with various HR issues, ranging from advising on and drafting contracts of employment and staff handbooks, to grievance and disciplinary procedures and settlement agreements and exit procedures, including for senior employees and directors. This also involved advising on the effects of TUPE and GDPR. My aim in advising employees was to offer both legal and practical advice to support and guide them through times that were professionally and personally difficult for them. I recognised the concerns that many employees have in seeking legal advice, particularly from a financial point of view and aimed, as far as possible, to provide practical signposts and advice to employees as to how to fund legal advice for potential or existing claims. I also gained extensive experience in advising on settling claims where this was a practical alternative to litigation. I was a member of the Employment Lawyers' Association in this role and undertook significant training with them. I also covered the work of a Director of the firm who practised in general civil litigation during periods of annual leave and illness. Show less

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  Judicium consulting ltd

  Apr 2019 - Jun 2020

  Hr/employment law consultant

  In this role, I coupled my Employment Law Solicitor role with "on the ground", practical HR experience.On a day-to-day basis, I assisted business clients in the education sector and commercial enterprises with the whole range of Employment Law and HR advice and assistance.This often extended into project work, advising clients on very convoluted processes designed to achieve the outcomes that they required. In particular, I regularly attended clients' premises to advise them and those representing them on grievance and disciplinary procedures, often involving various stakeholders, including local authorities, the Department for Education and sometimes even the police.In addition to this, I also served as an investigation officer in relation to grievance and disciplinary procedures, as well as assisting investigation officers on their responsibilities and the steps to be taken in ensuring a fair and impartial process.My role also involved working alongside trade union representatives to manage their questions on these processes and to ensure that the employees' rights were met whilst also maintaining the structure of the procedure.I travelled far and wide across England and Wales in providing this service, including to Cleckheaton, Southend, Peterborough, various London Boroughs and Bristol. Show less

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  Whatculture ltd

  Jul 2020 - now

  Freelance writer

  As a bit of fun, I'm also a "blogger" on films and television shows.My legal career has given me a talent for dissecting things that are presented to me and, long before becoming a solicitor, I have had a love for movies and TV series.My blogging helps me to take a bit of a break from my day job, but also to focus on the behind-the-scenes nature of filmmaking, which I find incredibly fascinating and, in its way, also relaxing. People tend to be blown away by my knowledge of certain film franchises and television shows (after all, we can't know everything about everything, can we?), and I've often nailed that one answer that has won a pub quiz! Show less

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  Tp legal solicitors

  Sept 2020 - May 2021

  Associate solicitor

  I set up an Employment Law Department at TP Legal Solicitors in September 2020.I provided the full range of Employment Law and Human Resources services, working with employees and businesses to assist them with finding practical solutions to their concerns.A key focus of my time was in working with numerous employer clients to achieve their outcomes whilst finding balance with their employee rights. For instance, whilst some companies might have "beefed up" an act of minor misconduct from a longstanding and loyal member of staff to make an example of them, I assisted a business in addressing an act of minor misconduct in a manner that was appropriate for the business, whilst ensuring that act could be referred to in the future if further training or disciplinary action was required.I also achieved a no compensation settlement agreement for another employer, which is something of a rarity in Employment Law circles.On the employee side of things, I assisted various employees to achieve settlement agreements on terms that met their needs, both in terms of the compensation that they felt that they were owed and also on terms that would assist them in their onward careers. Show less

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  The hironator®️

  Jun 2021 - now

  Employment law solicitor

  Advising on employment law and practical solutions to workplace issues for the owners of small-to-medium-sized businesses, HR professionals and employees, with a particular focus on non-contentious measures to resolve issues without the need to resort to the employment tribunal, where possible.This includes negotiated exits (via settlement agreements and Acas early conciliation), contract drafting (not just contracts for employees and workers, but self-employed people as well), advising on HR processes (from grievances and disciplinary procedures, to holiday pay and complex sickness absence cases), drafting staff handbooks in a tailored way for the business using them, as just some examples.I have a particular passion for straightening out complex problems and explaining things in straightforward ways, where possible.Services are offered via Woodstock Legal Services in Poole, Radshaw Solicitors in Uxbridge, and Setfords Solicitors in Guildford, Surrey.Richard Hiron - The Hironator is based in Bournemouth. Show less

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  Setfords solicitors

  Jun 2021 - now

  Consultant employment law solicitor

  I am a self-employed solicitor working with Setfords Solicitors.This ensures that I can spend more time working with you, my client, rather than worrying about billing targets or management matters, which can only be of benefit to both of us.I work equally with employers and employees alike, bringing together my experience in advising on day-to-day Human Resources matters, bringing and defending Employment Tribunal claims, as well as advising on settlement offers so that I can help you to navigate the tricky and often disconcerting field of Employment Law.So, why Employment Law?This is because I am a people-focused person. Whether you are a business owner employing individuals to be your brand ambassadors or an employee or work yourself, Employment Law is a two-way street including not only rights and obligations but, importantly, often looking aside from the documents concerns to the people involved.In instructing me, you have the security of knowing that you will get my attention and my time without a clock ticking away in the background. Crucially, however, you will also have all of the backing of a traditional law firm to support us in your journey to a better future either for you individually or for your business. Show less

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  Woodstock legal services

  Jul 2022 - now

  Consultant employment law & hr solicitor

  I am a self-employed Employment Law & Human Resources Solicitor advising on the legal and the practical sides of how people and businesses interact in the course of their work.This includes everything from advising on settlement agreements, to navigating those tricky employment processes and representation in the employment tribunal. I also frequently collaborate with HR professionals to ensure that businesses and individuals receive the best support possible both before issues arise and during complex procedures when those issues cannot be avoided. Show less

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  The hall of heroes

  Jan 2024 - now

  Member

  The leading community for Social Selling nerds and heroes. Join the rest of the clan at https://thehallofheroes.carrd.co

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  Radshaw solicitors ltd

  Jul 2024 - now

  Consultant employment law solicitor

  I am a self-employed practising consultant solicitor who specialises in employment law and focuses on helping businesses and individuals to avoid the stress and cost of tribunal litigation.Drawing on my experience, gained from working not just within employment law, but within practical HR as well, I help my clients to untangle problems that feel stressful and exhausting to them to ensure that they come out feeling informed and in control, without the drudgery of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by what is happening.Clients describe working with me as “professional”, but “approachable”, “quick” and “efficient”, but also value that I “check in” with them and manage their expectations in presenting solutions developed for them. Show less